White lauded by attorneys

SAG exec gets prize from National Bar Association

David White, the national exec director of the Screen Actors Guild, has been named “Entertainment, Sports & Art Law Section Attorney of the Year” by the National Bar Assn.

The group, which describes itself as the oldest and largest association of African American lawyers and judges, presented the honor to White Thursday in New Orleans at the NBA’s 85th Annual Convention & Exhibits.

“I am so pleased to receive this award,” said White. “So much of what I do at Screen Actors Guild today is influenced by my training and experience in the law. It is a privilege to be a member of our professional community, and I am truly honored to be recognized by this esteemed association of my peers.”

White began serving as SAG’s interim national exec director in January 2009 and was promoted to the posts of national executive director and chief negotiator in October. He had served as SAG’s general counsel from 2002 to 2006, then served as managing principal of Los Angeles-based Entertainment Strategies Group before re-joining SAG.

White has also worked as a labor and employment attorney at O’Melveny & Myers LLP.